Tabasco Sauce Nutritional Facts and Health Benefits

Tabasco sauce is a condiment known around the world. It's a spicy pepper-based sauce that goes well with a variety of foods. The nutritional and health benefits of the ingredients found in Tabasco sauce offer the same benefits as spicy food and hot peppers. You can boost your metabolism, help find relief from headaches and ward off depression all with one great, versatile sauce.

Nutritional Facts

The nutritional facts of Tabasco sauce may not be a long list of calories and fat, but there is a bit of sodium to watch out for. Many condiments add sodium, so if you're watching your sodium intake, consider the sodium in the foods you're putting the Tabasco sauce on.

A general serving size of Tabasco is one teaspoon. Because of the nature of Tabasco, there are no calories, fat, carbs or protein. There is 30mg of sodium which you need to watch when tracking your sodium intake. Unless you have to keep extreme track of your sodium, the amount in Tabasco and the small amount you'd use, will not likely put you over your recommended sodium level for the day.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is the key heat component in Tabasco sauce, and it's known to boost metabolism which can aid in weight loss. Spicy peppers also have capsaicin in them, which is an anti-inflammatory. Capsaicin can aid in the pain caused by inflamed joints and arthritic conditions. If you're looking to boost your metabolism and lose weight, toss a little Tabasco sauce on your foods instead of using other fatty condiments.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice used in abundance in Middle Eastern foods, and it's been used for many medicinal purposes. Turmeric is another one of the key components of Tabasco sauce. It adds a smoky flavor to the sauce which helps break through the heat of the cayenne. Turmeric can be found in most grocery stores and worked into your favorite dishes for a spicy, smoky flavor.

Overall Health Benefits

These two ingredients are responsible for a majority of the Tabasco sauce profile, and they not only help with boosting your metabolism and relieving joint pain. The health benefits of spicy sauces expand to:

Lowering blood pressure

The frequency of migraines and headaches

Lowering cholesterol

Improved digestive system

Disease frequency of colds, flus and respiratory conditions

Improved cardiovascular system

Increased circulation

Increased endorphin production (to help ward off depression)

Hot peppers are also packed with vitamins A and C and beta-carotene. Adding a little spice into your life is a great way to bring the health benefits of Tabasco without packing on the calories.

The health benefits of spicy peppers and spices have been recognized and used around the world for centuries. Even in small amounts, spicy peppers can provide you with major benefits. You don't need to join a hot pepper eating contest to lose the weight, but a little shake of Tabasco will definitely give your metabolism a boost. Next time to consider reaching for your favorite ranch or other fatty sauce, consider a shake of Tabasco instead.